Sun PhuQuoc Airways Orders 40 Boeing 787s to Power Vietnam’s Next Travel Frontier

Sun PhuQuoc Airways Orders 40 Boeing 787s to Power Vietnam’s Next Travel Frontier

Sun PhuQuoc Airways Orders 40 Boeing 787s to Power Vietnam’s Next Travel Frontier

A new chapter in Southeast Asian aviation and tourism has officially begun. On February 18, 2026, Boeing and Sun PhuQuoc Airways announced an order for up to 40 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner jets — Vietnam’s largest-ever widebody aircraft purchase — in a deal valued at approximately $22.5 billion at list prices. The signing ceremony, held in Washington, D.C., was witnessed by Vietnam’s General Secretary To Lam and senior U.S. government representatives, underscoring the deal’s strategic importance for both nations.

A New Airline With Grand Ambitions

Sun PhuQuoc Airways is a venture of Sun Group, one of Vietnam’s most prominent conglomerates and the force behind the sweeping resort and entertainment transformation of Phu Quoc island. Founded in January 2025 and granted its Air Operator Certificate later that year, the airline launched its first commercial flights in November 2025. It initially operated a fleet of Airbus A320/A321 family aircraft on domestic and short-haul international routes — but the Boeing 787-9 order signals a bold and rapid pivot toward long-haul, premium travel.​

Why the 787-9 Is the Perfect Travel Aircraft

The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner is widely regarded as one of the most passenger-friendly widebody jets in the sky, and its technical specifications are perfectly matched to Sun PhuQuoc’s ambitions. With a range of 7,565 nautical miles (14,010 km), the aircraft can connect Phu Quoc non-stop with major cities in Asia, Europe, and North America. Sun PhuQuoc has already confirmed plans to launch non-stop flights to the United States as well as to the United Kingdom, France, and Germany.​

Phu Quoc: An Island Whose Time Has Come

The timing of this order could not be more fitting for Phu Quoc, Vietnam’s largest island, which is riding an extraordinary wave of global tourism momentum. In 2025 alone, Phu Quoc recorded approximately 8.3 million visitors — exceeding its annual target by more than 18% — with international arrivals reaching nearly 1.9 million, almost double the previous year’s total. In January 2026, Phu Quoc International Airport reported international traffic estimated to be about 40% higher than the same period in the previous year.​

The island’s appeal is multifaceted. Phu Quoc was recently named Asia’s most beautiful island by Condé Nast Traveler, ranking third globally. Its year-round tropical climate, pristine beaches, thriving resort ecosystem, and a 30-day visa-free policy for international visitors make it one of Southeast Asia’s most compelling leisure destinations. Sun Group’s ongoing investment — from the world’s longest three-wire cable car to Hon Thom Island to the spectacular evening shows at Sunset Town — continues to deepen the island’s attractiveness.

Building the Routes That Will Change Travel Patterns

Sun PhuQuoc Airways is developing its network on a hub-and-spoke model, with Phu Quoc as the central hub — a concept that bypasses traditional transit points like Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City and creates direct connections to source markets. By the end of 2026, the airline plans to launch direct international routes to Taipei, Seoul, Bangkok, Singapore, and Hong Kong. A Phu Quoc–Taipei route is already scheduled to commence on March 29, 2026, operating five flights per week.

With plans to expand its fleet to 100 aircraft by 2030, Sun PhuQuoc Airways is positioning itself as a pivotal connector between Vietnam’s fast-growing tourism sector and the world. Vietnam itself is forecast to be Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing aviation market, with annual passenger growth of nearly 8% expected by 2030.​

A Historic Deal in a Historic Moment for Vietnamese Tourism

The Boeing order by Sun PhuQuoc Airways is not an isolated event. It was announced alongside Vietnam Airlines finalizing a separate order for 50 Boeing 737-8 jets, part of a broader series of aviation agreements signed during General Secretary To Lam’s Washington visit. Together, these deals signal a new era of aviation investment in Vietnam — and a shared conviction that the country’s tourism boom is not a short-term spike but a structural, long-term shift.​

Vietnam welcomed its 20 millionth international visitor in 2025 — a milestone that took nearly a decade to reach, representing a doubling of arrivals since 2016. With Sun PhuQuoc Airways now backed by 40 Dreamliners, Phu Quoc is no longer content to be Asia’s best-kept secret. The Pearl Island is ready for its global close-up.

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